800,000 Seedlings Take Root on the West Coast

This year�s provincial silviculture program saw more than 800,000 tree seedlings planted over 323 hectares of land on the west coast.

�Our silviculture activities are an important component each year of forest management and sustaining our forest resources across the province,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. �These particular projects saw seedlings planted around communities that rely on the economic stability of a healthy forest industry. The annual silviculture program is an example of our continued commitment to rural Newfoundland and Labrador.�

In total, $104,975 was spent on two planting projects in the vicinity of Kennedy Lakes and Faulkner�s Flats. Both projects provided employment for 15 people over six weeks.

�Sustainable development initiatives such as tree planting are vital to the long-term viability of our forest industry,� said Wallace Young, MHA for St. Barbe. �I am very pleased that our government continues to make strategic investments in the forestry sector and these activities provide valuable employment for the region.�

The sites at Kennedy Lakes, south of Bonne Bay, were harvested between 2001 and 2007. These sites were prepared for planting in 2008 and this summer, 187,500 black spruce, 75,000 Norway spruce and 277,500 white spruce seedlings were planted over 216 hectares at the Kennedy Lakes sites.

The area around Faulkner�s Flats, south of Sop�s Arm, White Bay, was harvested between 2006 and 2008. A total of 300,000 black spruce seedlings were planted this summer covering 107 hectares. All seedlings came from the Provincial Tree Nursery at Wooddale.

�I applaud government�s decision to maintain the forest industry through reforestation efforts,� said Darryl Kelly, MHA for Humber Valley. �Many communities rely on this industry and once again this decision demonstrates government�s commitment, not only to the forest industry, but to residents in rural communities.�

�I am very pleased that our government is taking responsibility for proper forest management,� said Terry Loder, MHA for Bay of Islands. �These projects are important to the future of our communities, while providing immediate employment.�

Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation includes a $10.9 million investment by the Provincial Government for silviculture activities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, an increase of $200,000 over last year.

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2009 09 04                                                    10:50 a.m.